Pip is beaten and abused in many ways by
Mrs. Joe, his older sister. While she takes care of her little brother Pip, she also beats and demeans her husband, Joe. There are a variety of
punishments in her strict household, which include getting beaten with
“Tickler”, Mrs. Joe’s cane, and being forced to drink tar water. After
attempting to hide a piece of bread and butter down his pants for the escaped
convict, whom he met in the churchyard, he is caught and severely punished.
This household reminds me a lot of Okonkwo’s, in the novel Things Fall Apart. There are strict rules enforced by those in
charge of each home, and punishments result from an inability to meet these
standards. Okonkwo beat everyone from his wife to his children, just like Mrs.
Joe, who has no time for nonsense or to be questioned. Both Pip and Okonkwo’a
child, Nwoye, fear their authorities at home and must resort to hiding things
and keeping secrets.
I agree with Jeremy. Mrs. Joe seems to have little to no respect for her family, but really she is just cracking under the pressure of being a teen parent. Pip is punished for crimes that he has committed but never as seriously as when he stole the butter and bread. The punishments she has for her family are mostly abusive and raises a lot of questions about the health of the family. The ties you make between Things Fall Apart are interesting and true. Okonkwo being the leader of his household in Things Fall Apart did not show respect for his wives and harshly raised his children, similar to Mrs. Joe.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jeremy that Mrs. Joe is very hard on Joe and Pip, but I wouldn’t say that she is as bad as Okonkwo. Okonkwo was a very cruel, harsh and proud man where Mrs. Joe just seems more bitter and mean. I do agree that there are some things in Great Expectations that are reminiscent of Things Fall Apart; I just wouldn’t say that Mrs. Joe is as bad as Okonkwo, a man who beats and demeans his family with a conviction unlike Mrs. Joe. This is a very good connection that does make me think about how tough Mrs. Joe actually is on her family.
ReplyDeleteI would give Jeremy and A for this blog, Ms Molyneaux. He uses a very varied vocabulary which keeps the reader interested and enthralled. It is also an unexpected but insightful topic. I didn't originally make a connection between Okonkwo and Mrs. Joe, but nonetheless, the similarities are there. It's a great piece of writing.
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